Insurance Blog

What Should I Do if I Have Trouble Driving at Night?

We all know there are plenty of driving hazards to worry about during the day – from rain and snow to deer and potholes. But driving at night adds a completely new set of challenges.

Why? It all comes down to one word: visibility.

During a clear day, you might be able to see thousands of feet ahead of you. But when the sun’s down and your headlights are on, that visibility can be reduced to as little as 150 feet!

All this means that when driving at night, you have less time to react. So, it’s important to make sure you’re seeing things clearly.

Your eyes should adjust to low light naturally. But if you find yourself squinting or struggling to see, keep these tips in mind.

7 Tips for driving at night

Check your vision. Even if you don’t wear prescription glasses, poor night vision may warrant a trip to the eye doctor. As we age, it’s common to have more difficulty seeing at night. Blurry vision, trouble seeing objects or experiencing glare from lights are all reasons to schedule an appointment. Correcting your vision with glasses or contact lenses could put an end to your night-driving woes.
Get a clear view. A dirty windshield or worn windshield wipers can add an extra layer of difficulty to nighttime driving, especially if the rain starts to pour. For increased visibility, always make sure your windshield is clean from dirt, snow and fog— and replace your wipers if they start to streak.
Clean your headlights. Road grime can easily cover your headlights and dim their beams. Old, oxidized plastic housings can make lenses foggy. Remember to clean your headlights periodically and pick up a headlight restoration kit at your local auto parts store if your lights look cloudy or yellowed. To learn more, read The Driver’s Guide to Headlights.
Dim your dashboard. Bright infotainment screens and dashboards aren’t just distracting—they can also make it difficult for your eyes to adjust to low light. Use the dimmer switch in your vehicle to turn down the lights and improve your nighttime visibility in the process.
Check your headlight ratings. Not all headlights are created equal. In fact, just 44% of 2024 vehicles evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earn a “good” rating for lighting the road and limiting glare. According to the IIHS, vehicles with good ratings for visibility have 19% fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes and 23% fewer nighttime pedestrian crashes than vehicles with poor-rated headlights. Check out the latest results of IIHS headlight tests and consider upgrading your headlight bulbs to gain more visibility.
Use your high-beams. Speaking of headlights, your vehicle’s high-beam headlights (also known as “brights”) are a great tool to use in low-visibility situations. Low-beam headlights provide a down-the-road view of about 200-300 feet, depending on your vehicle. But using your high-beam headlights can extend that visibility to upward of 500 feet. For that reason, high beams are great to use on low-traffic rural roads or when traveling on a dark highway at high speeds. Just remember that the added light they emit can also be blinding to oncoming traffic. They can also reduce visibility in rain, fog or snow.
Leave the night driving glasses at home. Often marketed as “As-Seen-On-TV” products, night driving glasses aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Tinted lenses can help during the day, but anything designed to limit light at night is typically ineffective. Your eyes will adjust to low light on their own. If it’s hard to see at night, try the above tips before investing in these yellow shades.

Statistically speaking, the most dangerous trips you take are the ones that happen after the sun goes down. Following these tips will keep your visibility at its best, helping you maintain a clear view of the road ahead.

At Erie Insurance, we’re focused on the road ahead too. Our promise is simple: to be there when you need us. You can count on us to offer you the best auto insurance protection for you and your vehicle. Find a local ERIE agent to learn more.

ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.

The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of October 2024 and may be changed at any time.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions. Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

Posted on 18 December 2024 | 9:00 pm

New Year’s Checklist: 7 Important Insurance Conversations Every Business Owner Should Have

The start of a new year is an ideal time for business owners to review and refresh their insurance coverage to ensure it meets their current needs and business goals. Whether you run a small retail shop, a contracting business or manage a fleet, here are seven important topics to discuss with your Erie Insurance agent this year.

1. Annual Insurance Coverage Checkup

As your business grows and changes, your insurance needs to change as well.

So, no matter what stage your business is in, it’s good to make sure you’re covered.

Some changes might be obvious, while others might not make you think about insurance right away. In either case, it’s important to make sure you discuss all your insurance needs based on your business and budget.

An annual review of your insurance policies can identify any gaps and help you adjust coverage as your business evolves. From property to liability coverage to business umbrella coverage, making sure you have the right protection in place for your business’s unique needs is essential.

During your checkup, your ERIE agent can help you evaluate any changes in business operations, equipment upgrades or new property to ensure you have the coverage you need.

2. Risk Control Survey

ERIE offers risk control services that can help you identify potential risks and help you prevent future losses. Scheduling a risk control survey with your ERIE agent could bring to light safety improvements that can help reduce risk. This proactive approach helps keep employees safe, minimizes downtime and ultimately protects your bottom line.

ERIE risk control consultants offer qualifying commercial customers:

Industrial hygiene and occupational health services, addressing health hazards like noise, dust, chemicals, heat, cold and more. ERIE’s risk control offers consultation on these issues through a combination of in-house staff and vendors.
OSHA Outreach Training Programs, 10-hour construction and 10-hour general industry, available through OSHA-authorized ERIE risk control consultants.
Safety training programs provide our customers with web-based and instructor-led safety training on a variety of safety programs. These are offered through a partnership between ERIE and BLR (a Simplify Compliance Company).

3. Cybersecurity and Data Breach Protection

Cyber threats are on the rise for businesses of all sizes. Your customers’ and employees’ data are sensitive, so it’s critical to evaluate your cybersecurity coverage. Cyber insurance helps protect against data breaches and cyberattacks, offering financial support for recovery efforts and legal costs.

With Cyber Suite¹ from ERIE, you’ll be prepared to respond to a wide range of cyber incidents such as breaches of personally identifying or sensitive information and threats that could jeopardize the safety of that information.

Ask your ERIE agent about coverage options that fit the digital security needs of your business.

4. Workers’ Compensation and Employee Safety

You depend on your employees to help you run your business. If one of your employees gets hurt on the job, your business could suffer. Workers’ compensation requirements can change as your workforce grows or as roles evolve.

It helps cover medical care and lost wages for an employee who is hurt at work. ERIE's coverage can help you comply with the laws in your state.² In addition to medical payments and lost wages, ERIE offers:

Employers liability insurance – It provides important protection in the event that you negligently cause a work-related employee injury that is not covered by workers' compensation.
Other states' coverage – It provides limited temporary workers' compensation and employers liability coverage for your new business operations in states other than your home state.³

Check with your ERIE agent to ensure that your workers’ comp policy aligns with your current staff levels and job responsibilities. This is also a good time to explore additional safety training or preventive measures ERIE can provide to support workplace safety.

5. Company Vehicles and Driver Safety

Whether you rely on a single car or a large fleet of vehicles, commercial auto insurance is something most businesses need. That’s because an accident can happen to even the most careful driver—and these accidents can cost thousands or even millions of dollars.

If your business owns or leases vehicles, ensure your auto insurance policy reflects any new additions to your fleet. Keeping accurate records of the employees who drive company vehicles can help manage liability and control costs.

Commercial vehicle insurance for both owned and leased cars and trucks protects your business in many important ways. Erie Insurance offers coverage⁴ for:

Liability if you’re responsible for harming others or for damaging their vehicles or property
Damages if your car is damaged or destroyed in an accident or by something other than an accident, such as theft, vandalism or hail
Uninsured/underinsured motorists if an at-fault driver is unable to pay any or all of the costs owed to you
Medical costs for you or your passengers’ injuries

ERIE’s coverage options include liability protection, physical damage coverage and more—all tailored to your business needs.

6. Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Insurance

If you have employees, your business may be vulnerable to claims related to issues such as wrongful termination, harassment or discrimination. Even if the allegations are false, you would be responsible for legal fees to defend yourself and that can be costly. Employment Practices Liability (EPL) insurance from ERIE helps to safeguard your business against costly legal disputes and to help foster a secure, compliant workplace environment.

The EPL coverage you can add to your business policy covers:

Liability damages and defense costs (within the limit of coverage) from charges brought by employees as well as applicants for employment volunteers.
Third-party claims brought by customers, clients or vendors (additional coverage option)

7. Business Umbrella Insurance

No business owner wants to consider the possibility of a catastrophic claim. Yet these kinds of claims do happen—and when they do, they have the potential to cause serious financial harm to your business.

That’s why many business owners make the smart decision to protect themselves with extra business liability insurance. Business umbrella liability insurance provides an additional layer of coverage that gives you extra protection and peace of mind above and beyond your commercial general liability, professional liability, business auto liability and employer's liability insurance.

Fortunately, you can protect the business you worked so hard to build with an affordable Business Umbrella policy from ERIE.

Talk with your Agent

Taking the time to review these key insurance considerations with your Erie Insurance agent in the new year can give you peace of mind and help ensure your business is protected against unexpected risks. Connect with your ERIE agent today to create a plan that supports your goals and keeps your business running smoothly all year long.

Posted on 17 December 2024 | 9:00 pm

What to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Working from Home

Are you one of the many businesses that has taken on a remote or hybrid working model? Working from home has pros and cons, but it also raises serious questions like what would happen if an employee becomes injured while performing work at home.

Workers' compensation (often shortened to workers’ comp) laws and requirements vary by state, but generally, any business that has employees must have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. It helps cover medical care and lost wages for an employee who is hurt while on the job

With employees working from the kitchen table or the home office, it helps to know how workers’ compensation can kick in. (As always, talk with your local ERIE agent for questions about your specific policy.)

Will Workers’ Compensation Cover an Employee If They Get Injured While Working from Home?

If an employee is hurt on work premises, they’re typically covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Workers’ compensation provides coverage for injury or disease employees sustain in the course and scope of employment. It applies regardless of negligence, with workers’ compensation laws varying by state.

Most telecommuters are still covered under their employers’ workers’ compensation coverage, whether full-time remote workers or part-time with aa hybrid working model.

“It’s important to remember that workers’ compensation insurance isn’t tied to a building,” says Leo Heintz, vice president of commercial products at ERIE. “It follows you wherever you go, subject to the policy conditions, while you’re working.”

What Are Common Injuries That Can Happen When Working from Home?

Common injuries telecommuting office workers experience include carpal tunnel syndrome; back sprains and strains; and slips, trips and falls. The injury or disease typically has to arise out of a work-related activity to be covered under workers’ comp.

“Injuries are possible even if you have a desk job,” Heintz said. “That’s why it’s important to practice the same good ergonomic activities at your home office as you do when at your regular office. Simple things like good posture and remembering to take time and stretch, or getting up and walking around, can make all the difference.”

Questions about your coverage? We’re here for you. Talk with your local ERIE agent for a coverage review or a quote that includes workers compensation.

Posted on 5 December 2024 | 9:00 pm

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Autumn is beautiful, but it also introduces some fall driving hazards… deer collisions being one of them. From October to December, mating and hunting season make deer go on the move. For drivers, that means you’re more likely to hit one.

According to a 2022 study published in the journal Current Biology, about 2.1 million deer-vehicle collisions happen in the U.S. each year, causing more than $10 billion in economic losses. But have you ever wondered how your auto insurance can cover hitting a deer? Are deer collisions covered by comprehensive or collision coverage?

Before you get too worried, here are some helpful tips on how to avoid hitting a deer… and how to handle things if you end up hitting one despite your best efforts.

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Know where the deer are likely to be. Areas with high deer populations are normally marked with a bright yellow sign. Deer also tend to graze in wooded areas or open fields. When driving your usual route to work, be attentive to areas where you’ve seen deer in the past – they are likely to cross there again.
Be alert at sunrise and sunset. Deer are more active during dawn and dusk hours.
Use your high beams. When possible, use your high beams for better visibility. The extra light will help make it easier to spot a deer, or other animals, lurking alongside the road.
Don’t rely on deer gadgets. Whether it’s a deer whistle, deer fence or other type of product to scare away the deer… don’t rely solely on them to keep deer away. Research isn’t exact on whether or not these products truly work. (Related: Fact or Fiction? Debunking 6 Common Myths About Deer)
When you see one… you’ll probably see more. Deer travel in groups. If one comes across your path, proceed with caution in case there are more.
Don’t swerve. Swerving isn’t always the safest option. Hitting a deer might often cause less damage than swerving to avoid it… and then hitting a more dangerous obstacle, like a vehicle in oncoming traffic.
Wear your seat belt. If you do hit a deer, wearing a seat belt decreases your chances of injury.
Spread the word. When friends or family head out on the road, let them know to be careful and alert. Even a simple reminder can help prevent deer collisions.

What to Do if You Hit a Deer

Taking the above precautions can help you avoid hitting a deer… but nothing can entirely rule out the possibility. Here are steps you can take after you hit a deer.

Pull over. Move your vehicle to a safe place off the road. Don’t forget to turn on your hazard lights.
Stay away from the deer. An injured deer can still lash out and hurt someone.
Assess the damage. When you’re out of harm’s way, examine your vehicle and take photographs of any damage to your car. Use good judgment to know if your car is safe to drive or if you’ll need to call for a tow truck. Learn how to add Emergency Roadside Service to your ERIE auto policy.
Call for help. Depending on the circumstances, consider calling the police or an animal expert. While it’s not always required to file a police report, it can provide evidence if you decide to make an insurance claim. If the deer is still in the middle of the road, a trained professional from animal control, the game commission or your local fish and wildlife service can move it away for everyone’s safety.
Know if you should file an insurance claim. An insurance professional like an Erie Insurance agent can help you make the decision based on the specifics of your auto insurance policy. Talking with someone you already know and who is familiar with the claims process can help put your mind more at ease.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

You can’t always predict if a deer will walk into your path, but if one does, we’re here to help get you back on the road as soon as possible. At Erie Insurance, when you purchase the optional comprehensive portion of your auto insurance, deer-vehicle collisions are covered. Learn more about how to customize your ERIE auto policy.

An insurance professional like a local Erie Insurance agent can help you customize an auto insurance package that fits your needs and budget. Talk to a local ERIE agent in your neighborhood or get a free online auto insurance quote.

Posted on 4 December 2024 | 9:00 pm

What to Know About Renting to Own

Over the last several years, many Americans have become pessimistic on the prospect of home ownership.

According to a recent Bankrate survey, 51 percent of aspiring homeowners view cost-of-living issues as a major obstacle to buying, while 54 percent say their household income hasn’t matched the rise in market prices for available homes.

With those challenges in play, many people are exploring rent-to-own options. Renting to own involves leasing a home for a set period before purchasing it. It’s an arrangement that allows potential buyers a way to accumulate savings for a down payment, build equity and improve their credit score while living in their desired home. It is often a far more affordable route to ownership for people with little money for a down payment or with credit scores that don’t yet qualify for conventional loans.

If rent-to-own sounds like an appealing alternative to conventional home ownership, it’s best to fully understand the process—including advantages, disadvantages, types of contracts, and considerations—before deciding if it’s the right choice for you.

The Basics

The idea behind rent-to-own is that the occupant of a home starts as a renter and eventually becomes the home’s buyer. The process is governed by legal agreements with several key components:

Option Fee. This up-front fee secures the renter’s right to buy the home at a later date. Typically ranging from 1% to 7% of the home’s purchase price (rather than the customary 20% often required in a conventional purchase), this fee is non-refundable.
Monthly Rent. Like a standard rental agreement, the agreement requires a regular monthly rental payment.
Rent Credit. By contrast to a standard rental agreement, a portion of the monthly payment is placed in an escrow account.

At an agreed-upon point in time, the accrued rent credits plus the initial option fee will be applied toward the purchase of the home either as a down payment and/or a reduction in the price of the home.

Contract Types

Depending on the home being bought, a rent-to-own contract will typically be one of two types:

Lease Option. A lease-option agreement allows the renter to decide, upon expiration of the lease, whether or not to buy the home.

If the renter elects to buy, the option fee is often applied toward a reduction in the negotiated price of the home, while the accrued rent credits are applied toward the down payment. If the renter declines to buy, the option fee and rent credits are forfeited.

Lease Purchase. By contrast to a lease-option contract, a lease-purchase contract obligates the renter to buy the home at a price agreed upon in advance.

While this more rigid option leaves little room for a change of mind when the lease term is up, it also takes full advantage of a hot housing market in which the value of the home is likely to be higher at purchase time than the agreed-upon price — allowing the buyer to build equity while renting.

Is Rent-To-Own Right For Me?

The rent-to-own option might not make sense for every buyer, but it can be a great option depending on your circumstances:

Cash-strapped. If you’re keen on home ownership, but you don’t have the cash for a traditional down payment, rent-to-own may be the way to go.

With the lower entry cost of an option fee, rent-to-own may allow you to get into the home you want without waiting to scrape together a 20% down payment.

Poor Credit. People with poor credit can also benefit from rent-to-own arrangements since the qualifications are often less demanding than traditional mortgages.

By locking in a home for the duration of the lease agreement before buying it, rent-to-own allows the buyer to improve their credit score before applying for a mortgage.

Still, it’s vital to bear in mind: housing markets go down as well as up. As with all real estate transactions, it’s critically important to understand contractual terms and financial implications, so getting competent legal advice before signing a rent-to-own contract is always recommended.

Pros and Cons

If you’re considering taking the rent-to-own route to home ownership, there are pros and cons to keep in mind.

Advantages include:

Structure. Savings discipline is built into the contract to ensure a down payment.
Equity. Buyers can benefit from rising real estate values.
Affordability. Low entry costs can make otherwise out-of-reach homes financially accessible.
Credit. Lease periods can give time to repair or build damaged or insufficient credit scores.

Disadvantage include:

Budgetary Strain. Due to the inclusion of rent credit costs, rent-to-own can put greater strain on a monthly budget than a simple rental.
Risk of Loss. Lapse or breach of contractual arrangements can result in the permanent and unrecoverable loss of both the option fee and any accrued rent credits.

Make Sure You Are Covered

At the successful end of a rent-to-own journey, you’ll be able to congratulate yourself on the considerable accomplishment of becoming a homeowner.

During the transition from renter to owner and beyond, you’ll need the protection and peace of mind that only a solid insurance plan can provide: first with renters insurance and ultimately with homeowners coverage.

Talk to a local ERIE agent today, and we’ll help you find the right coverage no matter where you are on your journey to home ownership.

Posted on 3 December 2024 | 9:00 pm

Insurance Blog

What Should I Do if I Have Trouble Driving at Night?

7 Tips for driving at night

New Year’s Checklist: 7 Important Insurance Conversations Every Business Owner Should Have

1. Annual Insurance Coverage Checkup

2. Risk Control Survey

3. Cybersecurity and Data Breach Protection

4. Workers’ Compensation and Employee Safety

5. Company Vehicles and Driver Safety

6. Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Insurance

7. Business Umbrella Insurance

Talk with your Agent

What to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Working from Home

Will Workers’ Compensation Cover an Employee If They Get Injured While Working from Home?

What Are Common Injuries That Can Happen When Working from Home?

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

What to Do if You Hit a Deer

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Hitting a Deer?

What to Know About Renting to Own

The Basics

Contract Types

Is Rent-To-Own Right For Me?

Pros and Cons

Advantages include:

Disadvantage include:

Make Sure You Are Covered

Request a Quote